bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Mario Kart + Wii Wheel (Wii)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Online gameplay, variety of controller choices, and bikes.

Weaknesses: The Wii Wheel takes some time to get used to. Graphics could be better.

Summary: Mario Kart Wii follows the long tradition of previous Mario Kart titles by giving you the heroes and villains from the Mario games racing it out go kart style with many devious weapons at their disposal. The addition of the Wii Motion controls and the Wii Wheel for steering will take some time to get used to but it does and a new layer of that racing feeling as you turn the wheel to steer. Online play and a lot of courses give great replay value to Mario Kart as you can go up against friends online to see who is the fastest. The addition of motorbikes adds a new twist but many fans will probably stick to their favorite characters and Karts like they are familiar with. If you own a Wii, Mario Kart Wii will make a great addition to your gaming library.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Online gaming

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Mario Kart is a great family game with support for up to 4 players using the Wii remote locally. Online gameplay is very playable with no observable lag. There are many courses to choose from. Besides karts, there are motocycles to play. The game is bundled with one steering wheel in which you can mount your Wii remote. It does add a new level of fun using the wheel.This game is easily among the top games that my family would choose to play together to have a fun, enjoyable time.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: The classic Nintendo franchise makes a fine debut on the Wii

Weaknesses: None

Summary: I'm not one of those hardcore Nintendo fans who likes to put down Mario Kart Double Dash - the last console Mario Kart game that came out for the Gamecube in 2003. I thought it was an excellent game that remains a classic today. However, Mario Kart Wii takes the series to the next level with the same excellent gameplay but the added benefit of online play. Of course there is also the obligatory motion control (you steer the remote using the included plastic wheel accessory - or just steer the remote by itself) but I found that the least interesting aspect of the game. I prefer to play with as before - but using the nunchuk controller for steering. If you use the Wii remote/nunchuk combo you do get to perform tricks using a flick of the Wii remote and this works well enough as a very minor addition of motion control. It is this trick system which is one of the true new additions to the game, though. When going over a jump you can flick the remote to start a trick and you will get a speed boost upon landing. The second change is even bigger - you can now ride motorcycles. The same trick system can be used on jumps but you can also perform wheelies for a speed boost (at the expense of steering). And of course the final addition is a huge one: online play. You can race against friends (yes, you will have to enter their game-specific friend code but there is a way to send an invite to someone on your Wii's friend list so that is at least a small shortcut). But you can also just jump into a world-wide race against anyone. These are surprisingly lag-free and are a great deal of fun. So, while the core gameplay is classic Mario Kart (racing on relatively short tracks and nailing the other players with all sorts of attacks that you pick up from ? boxes) the added features for this version make it the definitive console Mario Kart experience. This is simply a must-own game for any Wii owner.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 03 Days

Strengths: Huge number of courses and great online play. Motorcycles provide a great alternative to go-karts.

Weaknesses: I have not found any weaknesses.

Summary: Whether offline or on, players choose a character, a vehicle and a set of courses and try to beat the opposition through skillful driving and the use of classic power-ups. It is fun to play with four people locally. The online play works amazingly well. When you go online you can use your friend code or find a random game for you to join and you can race with up to 12 people. Mario Kart Wii is a must have title for anybody with a Nintendo Wii.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 45 Days

Strengths: Able to play friends/family over the Internet! Great fun!

Weaknesses: I should handicap players with lesser ability.

Summary: We spend several hours a week playing this game. We play our family in Washington state and on the other side of St Louis. We lose, but still have fun doing so! This is a lot of fun to play. It's great for all ages, however, don't play your grand kids...you will lose every time!